The 2d largest metropolis of Republic of Korea (after Seoul) is Busan Metropolitan City, which located at the southeastern tip of the country. Busan gained its popularity together with international spotlight through its annually-held event- Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). Celebrities, cinema directors, producers from other countries all over the basis volition assemble together with hence, receives international spotlight. The termination started many years ago; fast-forward to now, the metropolis has turned into a oculus for medical tourism. Nevertheless, Busan is also famed for its astonishing natural landscape.
Busan is easily accessible whether yesteryear airplane (internationally/ domestic) or prepare (domestic). If you lot are flying inwards from Malaysia, you lot should solid reason at Gimhae International Airport, around xxx minutes away from Busan Station. If you lot must know, nosotros flew inwards to Incheon International Airport, Seoul together with transferred to KTX Train to Busan.
Busan is easily accessible whether yesteryear airplane (internationally/ domestic) or prepare (domestic). If you lot are flying inwards from Malaysia, you lot should solid reason at Gimhae International Airport, around xxx minutes away from Busan Station. If you lot must know, nosotros flew inwards to Incheon International Airport, Seoul together with transferred to KTX Train to Busan.
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Transportation to Busan Station from Seoul Station: KORAIL/ KTX
Cost: iii Day KORAIL Pass (back together with forth- from Seoul Station to Busan Station) @ 97,800 KRW (would go cheaper if you lot locomote inwards a group). For your reference, nosotros bought 2 tickets inwards i become at 175,800 KRW.
Cost: iii Day KORAIL Pass (back together with forth- from Seoul Station to Busan Station) @ 97,800 KRW (would go cheaper if you lot locomote inwards a group). For your reference, nosotros bought 2 tickets inwards i become at 175,800 KRW.
Foreigners are required to pre-book KORAIL tickets earlier their arrival to Republic of Korea but the sum would non go charged to your credit card until you lot direct hold exchanged it amongst the actual ticket at Korea. Tickets tin give notice go booked via their official website. You may direct to locomote from Seoul Station (to Busan) or direct from Incheon International Airport (to Busan) but the tickets from Incheon International Airport are selling similar hot cakes (we touched downward every bit early on every bit vi am inwards the morn together with at i time went over to the counter *though the immigration took us a piece to clear*, the prepare running from Incheon Airport to Busan was fully booked) .
Look for the KORAIL counter together with they are able to practise the telephone substitution of tickets for you lot (with the booking ticket you lot printed out). In social club to secure a comfortable topographic point (unless you lot prefer to remain standing throughout the journey), it is wiser to telephone substitution for your return-trip ticket too. The KTX Trains runs punctually together with the seats are comfortable. Passengers are allowed to purchase nutrient together with drinks to go brought to the prepare together with relish (there's also an in-house vendor that sells food... at a premium charge per unit of measurement of course). For those who can't alive without internet, high speed wifi is installed too.
Our trip was a swift together with comfortable, the journeying from Seoul Station to Busan Station took us around 2.5 hours.
The places nosotros visited during our trip:
1) Haeundae Beach (海云台浴场)/ Haeundae Market
Direction: Metro Line, Haeundae Station (exit iii or go out 5), walk around 600 meter towards the beach (there volition go directions indicated inwards the subway station). You volition walk transcend the Haeundae Food Alley, a brusk 10 minute-walk earlier you lot could accomplish the beach.
Admission Fee: Free
Admission Fee: Free
Hotteok (1,000 KRW)
Mizu Shingen Mochi (30,000 KRW)
Taiyaki (3,000 KRW)
Soy Milk Jelly (1,500 KRW)
Tteokbokki (3,500 KRW) together with Korean Fishcakes simmered inwards broth (500 KRW/ stick)
Haeundae is strategically located (40 infinitesimal prepare ride away from Busan Station)... blessed amongst many nutrient eateries together with tourist attractions around. Plan your itinerary carefully, though the procedure tin give notice go tedious. If your itinerary is centered about the Haeundae district, we'd recommend you lot to remain hither for tardily access to nutrient together with planned destinations.
There was no shortage of nutrient during our remain at Busan, specially amongst Haeundae Market was inside walking distance from our hostel. There are countless of traditional Korean delicacies available every bit good every bit some newly invaded Fusion treats. One phenomenon nosotros noticed was the patrons volition concur at to the lowest degree i serving of Hotteok per person, nosotros followed them to a stall amongst the longest queue. Mochi-like (chewy Glutinous Rice dough) dough (dusted amongst Cinnamon Sugar) volition go deep fried till perfection together with generously stuffed amongst sweetened Sunflower Seeds together with Pumpkin Seeds. The exterior was crunchy piece the filling was nutty-sweet. It tin give notice go rather addictive.
We wondered how the strange-looking Soy Milk Jelly would sense of savor similar together with decided to give it a try. The Soy Milk was extremely thick together with creamy... maybe seasoned amongst Salt. It carried a sleek salinity, the overall flavor was peculiar together with only those amongst trained palate would know how to appreciate. While we've tried real difficult to goal the whole thing, we'd literally direct hold to intend twice if nosotros were to go offered some other serving. Some notable highlights include Tteokbokki, Korean Fish Cakes, Korean Rice Juice, Korean Fried Chicken etc.
There was no shortage of nutrient during our remain at Busan, specially amongst Haeundae Market was inside walking distance from our hostel. There are countless of traditional Korean delicacies available every bit good every bit some newly invaded Fusion treats. One phenomenon nosotros noticed was the patrons volition concur at to the lowest degree i serving of Hotteok per person, nosotros followed them to a stall amongst the longest queue. Mochi-like (chewy Glutinous Rice dough) dough (dusted amongst Cinnamon Sugar) volition go deep fried till perfection together with generously stuffed amongst sweetened Sunflower Seeds together with Pumpkin Seeds. The exterior was crunchy piece the filling was nutty-sweet. It tin give notice go rather addictive.
We wondered how the strange-looking Soy Milk Jelly would sense of savor similar together with decided to give it a try. The Soy Milk was extremely thick together with creamy... maybe seasoned amongst Salt. It carried a sleek salinity, the overall flavor was peculiar together with only those amongst trained palate would know how to appreciate. While we've tried real difficult to goal the whole thing, we'd literally direct hold to intend twice if nosotros were to go offered some other serving. Some notable highlights include Tteokbokki, Korean Fish Cakes, Korean Rice Juice, Korean Fried Chicken etc.
2) Stir Fried Sea Eel amongst Spice
Location: Haeundae Food Alley
Price: 38,000 KRW (for 2 pax)
Business Hours: Evening till late
Business Hours: Evening till late
Curiosity kills Ken! On our offset evening, nosotros noticed a long snaking queue congesting this item store together with thought nosotros should depository fiscal establishment check it out on the side yesteryear side day.... together with and so nosotros did. The store specializes inwards serving Sea Eels; there's a lady close the entrance, showcasing her trained skills inwards beheading the Sea Eels together with piece them off inwards grooming to go served to the diners.
Movements were noticed on the freshly killed Sea Eels, a huge splash of chopped Garlic was served along amongst condiments (Onions, Spring Onions together with Cabbage) heavily dressed inwards Gochujang sauce. The server assisted us inwards cooking (one of the servers talk Mandarin) together with the dish was ready inwards no time. The Gochujang sauce did non overpower the dish, the sweetness was brilliantly balanced to our liking. What caught us yesteryear surprise was the crunchy texture of the Sea Eel. Having eaten grilled Unagi together with Anago for many times, nosotros did non await the texture to go together with so different! The Mandarin-speaking server told us that the right means of enjoying the dish would go to wrap the cooked fish using Sesame Leaf together with Lettuce. This is i of the traditional Korean dishes that brave nutrient explorers should never immature adult woman (be certain to accomplish in that location every bit early on every bit vi pm)!
It's non incorrect to tell Haeundae Beach is i of the nearly representative tourist attractions inwards Busan, the beach is ever happening together with constantly filled amongst excitements (Polar Bear Swim Festival on every Jan together with Sand Festival happening every June). If you lot are inwards the mood, there's a casino housed inwards Paradise Hotel... facing the beach together with accessible from the beach (you volition demand your passport, only foreigners are allowed to larn inwards the Casino). We'd recommend visiting the beach inwards the evenings together with if you lot are lucky, in that location volition go street performances too.
3) Beef Gukbap Street (牛肉汤饭)
Direction: Metro Line 2, Haeundae Station (exit 1) together with walk towards Haeundae Beach. You volition demand to create a left plough when you lot notice a stretch of shops selling Gukbap. The street is also contrary to Hotel Riviera Haeundae.
Price: 4,000 KRW per serving
Business Hours: Morning till late
Beef Gukbap (4,000 KRW per portion)
If you lot are staying at Haeundae expanse simply similar us, walk to the Beef Gukbap Street (5 minutes walk away from the Metro station). The Korean Seonji Rice is best eaten every bit breakfast. We toured about the expanse together with found this item store amongst the nearly regular patrons.
It didn't surprise us when nosotros found out that the store was established since 1962 (apparently the yell is read as 48-nyeon Jeontong Haeundae Wonjo Halmae Gukbap). We visited inwards May together with so the weather condition was comforting but the current of air tin give notice go chilly inwards the morning. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 goodness part of pipe hot Gukbap would warm our tum together with so much.
Gukbap literally refers to Beef Rice Soup; Korean Rice simmered inwards Beef broth amongst a generous serving of Beef Tenderloin together with topped amongst aplenty of crunchy greens. The Beef Tenderloin was expertly cooked to the right doneness, chewing was unnecessary. It was together with so tender (yet maintaining the shape) that it literally melted inwards the mouth! The broth was expertly seasoned amongst a gentle spicy-kick. We enjoyed every unmarried fleck of the Gukbap together with would recommend you lot to attempt it out (if you lot practise consume Beef).
It didn't surprise us when nosotros found out that the store was established since 1962 (apparently the yell is read as 48-nyeon Jeontong Haeundae Wonjo Halmae Gukbap). We visited inwards May together with so the weather condition was comforting but the current of air tin give notice go chilly inwards the morning. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 goodness part of pipe hot Gukbap would warm our tum together with so much.
Gukbap literally refers to Beef Rice Soup; Korean Rice simmered inwards Beef broth amongst a generous serving of Beef Tenderloin together with topped amongst aplenty of crunchy greens. The Beef Tenderloin was expertly cooked to the right doneness, chewing was unnecessary. It was together with so tender (yet maintaining the shape) that it literally melted inwards the mouth! The broth was expertly seasoned amongst a gentle spicy-kick. We enjoyed every unmarried fleck of the Gukbap together with would recommend you lot to attempt it out (if you lot practise consume Beef).
4) Jagalchi Market (札嘎其市场)
Direction: Metro Line 1, Jagalchi Station (exit 10), walk for 300 meters toward Jagalchi 1-gil.
Business Hours: five am to ix pm. Opens Daily.
Admission Fee: Free
Mountains of Sea Pineapples
Sea Intestines
Fresh Live Seafood ready on sale
If you lot see Busan together with direct hold yet to see Jagalchi Market... you lot haven't actually visited Busan subsequently all. It is i of the must-visit destinations inwards Busan. Jagalchi Market is also known every bit the largest fish marketplace position inwards South Korea. It's the ideal house for i to empathise the local nutrient civilisation together with the importance of seafood to the folks inwards Busan. There were some uncommonly seen seafood over in that location (Sea Pineapples for instance) together with so it was an eye-opening sense for us. For your information, the Koreans believe that eating Sea Pineapples volition convey medicinal benefits.
The walking distance from the Metro Station to Jagalchi Market is around 10 minutes. You volition direct hold to walk transcend a stretch of seafood stalls earlier reaching the building. The 6-storey tall edifice named Shindonga Market houses many fresh seafood stalls (on the basis floor) together with countless of seafood restaurants on the offset floor.
Visitors tin give notice purchase their preferred seafood from the marketplace position together with convey them upwardly to the restaurants. The restaurants volition gear upwardly them for you... at a cost of course. We've tried quest the locals together with it seems similar the departure (in prices) is small.
Steamed Fresh Abalones (6 for 30,000 KRW)
Live Octopus (30,000 KRW)
[Sashimi] Sea Pineapple/ Steamed Scallop/ Steamed Prawn
Flat Fish together with Stingray Sashimi
The Korean's means of eating Sashimi
Korean Pancake
Fish Pot
We don't talk Korean together with thus, did non purchase whatever Seafood. We went straight into the eating theater together with ordered the nutrient there. Unless you lot are well-versed inwards Korean, buying things at Jagalchi Market is non tardily (most of them don't empathise English). Besides, non similar the total nib could go cheaper... simply that you lot larn to pick what type of Seafood you lot prefer.
On the 2d floor, in that location are plenty of Seafood restaurants available. Most of the servers practise talk Standard Mandarin together with they volition attempt to direct handgrip of you lot together with so go careful together with remain theater on your decision. From our experience, the Seafood may go fresh but the prices are non cheap... at all. You tin give notice likely larn cheaper rates out there, non also certain if this is again... some other tourist trap. It is a quintessential matter to practise nevertheless.
We picked i eating theater that offers Sea persuasion together with were at i time greeted yesteryear the Mandarin-speaking server. Most items on the bill of fare are expensive but if you lot must order, become for their Set Meal (in our case, 30,000 KRW). The laid repast consists of Sashimi platter (in huge portion), Ban Chan (Korean appetizers), steamed Scallop/ Prawn, Korean Pancake together with Fish Pot... piece other dishes are priced exorbitantly. Imagine the alive octopus existence priced at 30,000 KRW per part (equivalent to Rm 105).... The texture was somewhat dissimilar to what I was expecting- crunchy together with slightly resilient but well-coated amongst Sesame Oil. We could sense of savor the natural seafood sweetness of the Octopus together with non a nary of fishiness tin give notice go discerned. If only the cost could go lower...
Anyway, nosotros finally larn to sense of savor the Sea Pineapple, a type of ocean squirt that is non normally seen inwards Malaysia... unfortunately, our untrained sense of savor buds could non approve nor appreciate the delicacy. It possesses slimy texture together with fishy flavor... adding common salt to the wound... it carries an exquisite acidic-bitter-after taste. It was an extraordinary gastronomic journeying for us nevertheless.
We picked i eating theater that offers Sea persuasion together with were at i time greeted yesteryear the Mandarin-speaking server. Most items on the bill of fare are expensive but if you lot must order, become for their Set Meal (in our case, 30,000 KRW). The laid repast consists of Sashimi platter (in huge portion), Ban Chan (Korean appetizers), steamed Scallop/ Prawn, Korean Pancake together with Fish Pot... piece other dishes are priced exorbitantly. Imagine the alive octopus existence priced at 30,000 KRW per part (equivalent to Rm 105).... The texture was somewhat dissimilar to what I was expecting- crunchy together with slightly resilient but well-coated amongst Sesame Oil. We could sense of savor the natural seafood sweetness of the Octopus together with non a nary of fishiness tin give notice go discerned. If only the cost could go lower...
Anyway, nosotros finally larn to sense of savor the Sea Pineapple, a type of ocean squirt that is non normally seen inwards Malaysia... unfortunately, our untrained sense of savor buds could non approve nor appreciate the delicacy. It possesses slimy texture together with fishy flavor... adding common salt to the wound... it carries an exquisite acidic-bitter-after taste. It was an extraordinary gastronomic journeying for us nevertheless.
5) BIFF Square
Direction: Metro Line 1, Jagalchi Station (exit 7), walk 300 meters toward Daeyeong Cinema.
Direction: Metro Line 1, Jagalchi Station (exit 7), walk 300 meters toward Daeyeong Cinema.
Business Hours: Daytime
BIFF Square resembles the characteristics of Avenue of Starts inwards Hong Kong. There are celebrities' mitt prints on the flooring but apart from experiencing the booming of filming manufacture inwards Busan, you lot larn to store together with attempt out the dissimilar types of local delicacies available every bit well. The entire expanse spans across few streets together with nearly brands tin give notice go found hither (including peel tending brands similar Nature Republic, The Face Shop etc).
BIFF Square is inside walking distance from Jagalchi Market together with it is highly recommended that you lot depository fiscal establishment check out the marketplace position offset (perhaps for brunch) together with accept a casual stroll at BIFF Square.
BIFF Square is inside walking distance from Jagalchi Market together with it is highly recommended that you lot depository fiscal establishment check out the marketplace position offset (perhaps for brunch) together with accept a casual stroll at BIFF Square.
6) Gamchoen Cultural Village (甘川文化村)
Direction: Metro Line 1, Toseong Station (exit 6). Once you lot are out of the subway exit, walk straight until you lot accomplish the offset intersection. Continue walking upwardly the gradient until you lot detect a rider vehicle station right inwards forepart of the Busan Cancer Center. Take rider vehicle 1-1, 2 or 2-2. Alight at Gamcheon Cultural Village. The rider vehicle trip should cost around 900 KRW.
Admission Fee: Free
Also known every bit the Machu Picchu of Souh Korea, the winding yet narrow alleys inwards the cast of colorful terrace houses on top of the sloppy coastal mount would create an attractive delineate factor for tourists. The walls are artfully decorated amongst fine art work; handicrafts together with Korean snacks are sold along the alleys. We'd recommend spending an afternoon hither if you lot want to fully explore the area.
7) Gamnae Cafe
Location: Near the entrance of Gamcheon Cultural Village, few minutes walk away from the Bus Station
Business Hours: 10 am to seven pm. Opens Daily.
Location: Near the entrance of Gamcheon Cultural Village, few minutes walk away from the Bus Station
Business Hours: 10 am to seven pm. Opens Daily.
Persimmon Bingsu (5,500 KRW)
There are countless of cafes together with pocket-size eateries at Gamcheon Cultural Village together with i would go literally spoilt for choices. We did non know what to direct either, nor piffling did nosotros know what they offering (we don't read Korean). We tried our luck at Gamnae Cafe, a brusk walk from the rider vehicle station at Gamcheon Cultural Village.
There's a steep flying of stairs right inwards forepart of the cafe, the al-fresco setting is amazing, overlooking the entire Gamcheon Cultural Village. The criterion cafe imbibe bill of fare is of class available but i specific item that lured our attending was their Persimmon Bingsu. Sweetened Iced Persimmon served atop of shaved H2O ice together with sweetened Red Beans every bit good every bit Walnuts. The shaved H2O ice was lightly flavored, amongst some milky chemical ingredient but the existent depict of the was the Persimmon. They were robust inwards flavor, non exclusively mushy but simply theater plenty to delineate out the ideal texture (biteable, non exclusively squashy). It makes a goodness tally amongst the shaved ice, nosotros could become without the sweetened Red Beans though.
8) Taejongdae Natural Park (太宗台)
Direction: Metro Line 1, Busan Station (exit 7); walk out to the rider vehicle station (note that in that location are few rider vehicle stations along the street, become to the 3rd out, confirm yesteryear checking the rider vehicle publish written on the notice board). Transfer to Bus 88 or 101. Alight at Taejongdae, a few minutes walk from the principal entrance.
Admission Fee: Free (2,000 KRW for the Danubi-train)
Direction: Metro Line 1, Busan Station (exit 7); walk out to the rider vehicle station (note that in that location are few rider vehicle stations along the street, become to the 3rd out, confirm yesteryear checking the rider vehicle publish written on the notice board). Transfer to Bus 88 or 101. Alight at Taejongdae, a few minutes walk from the principal entrance.
Admission Fee: Free (2,000 KRW for the Danubi-train)
Head due south to the nearly southern dot of Yongdo Island, Taejongdae Natural Park offers spectacular ocean views. According to the official tourism brochure, Taejongdae is the closest dot to the Japanese isle of Tsushima.
Unless you lot want to walk for hours or effort similar a hog ; in that location are 2 other options available- Danubi Train or sight-seeing boat. We chose the offset option... at the cost of 2,000 KRW per person. The Danubi prepare runs from 10 am to seven pm daily. Train riders tin give notice purchase the tickets close the bottom of the loma (but around 5-10 infinitesimal walk from the principal entrance); you lot tin give notice opt to alight at whatever dot during the journeying together with ride on the side yesteryear side prepare (after you lot direct hold completed touring the area) but practise go mindful on the finally prepare that runs at seven pm. Those amongst goodness stamina tin give notice opt to walk downward the cliffs... which volition convey you lot scenic grandeur of the sea. It's goodness for those who relish natural landscape or to accept a interruption from the stressful shopping.
9) Gwangalli Beach
Location: Metro Line 2, Gwang-an Station (exit iii or 5), walk 700 meters towards Gwangalli beach (approximately 20-30 infinitesimal walk)
Admission Fee: Free
Admission Fee: Free
For a breath-taking landscape view, accept your risk to Gwangalli Beach; few tube stations away from Haeundae Beach volition convey you lot to this 1.4 km long beach. The government direct hold taken goodness tending of the environment- pristine clear ocean H2O together with fine sand. The best fourth dimension to see would likely inwards the flush (for sunset together with the flush breeze). There's a stretch of eateries facing the beach together with so if you lot are inwards the mood of a leisure afternoon tea to stretch your shopping legs, this district is an ideal house to explore.
Have Fun inwards Exploring Busan!
